Question 1

What is a bureau in furniture?

Accepted Answer

A bureau with respect to furniture is a chest of drawers or a writing desk having drawers and a slanted top. Both are used for storing items. A bureau with only drawers is usually placed in the bedroom while a bureau that is styled like a writing desk lives in an office or library. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage bureaus.

Question 2

Is vintage furniture worth it?

Accepted Answer

Many believe that vintage furniture is worth it. Vintage pieces can offer unparalleled craftsmanship and timeless beauty while making living spaces more unique. However, whether or not it’s worth investing in vintage furniture is totally subjective! At 1stDibs, we believe in buying what you love. Our shopping experience enables discovery and learning, whether you are a seasoned connoisseur or just beginning your collection. Find a range of vintage furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 3

How old is vintage furniture?

Accepted Answer

A piece of furniture must be at least 20 years old to be considered vintage.

Question 4

How do you identify vintage furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify vintage furniture, you'll need to determine if its production year was 20 to 99 years ago. One way to do so is to research your piece. Start by finding maker's marks and looking them up on trusted online resources. Once you know the maker, you can then learn more about its history and offerings to get a rough idea of the approximate age of your item. Another option is to ask a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer to date your furniture. On 1stDibs, shop a wide variety of vintage furniture.

Question 5

How do I know if my Drexel furniture is vintage?

Accepted Answer

To know if your Drexel furniture is vintage, examine its serial number, which you will usually find in a hidden spot, such as beneath a tabletop or on the back or bottom of a casegood. By cross-referencing this number with information available on trusted online resources, you should be able to estimate the year of production. Drexel furniture produced more than 20 years ago would qualify as vintage. If you need assistance with dating your piece, seek the advice of a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer. On 1stDibs, find a diverse assortment of Drexel furniture.

Question 6

How do I identify vintage Thomasville furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify Thomasville furniture, look for the maker's mark, usually found in a discreet place, such as under a seat or tabletop or on the base or back of casegoods. Thomasville typically stamped pieces with its wordmark, which may read "Thomasville Chair Company" or "Thomasville Furniture," depending on the age of your piece. To find out more about your piece, you can conduct research using trustworthy online resources. If you need help with identification, consult a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer. Explore a range of Thomasville furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 7

How do you identify vintage wicker furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify vintage wicker furniture, first try looking for a maker's marking, usually found under tabletops or seats. If you find a marking, you can use trusted online resources to determine which company or artisan crafted your furniture. Then, you can read further to determine when they were active and producing pieces like yours. To be vintage, your furniture must be at least 20 but no more than 99 years old. If you don't see a marking or have trouble conducting research, consider having a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer assist you. Find an assortment of vintage wicker furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 8

How do I identify vintage Lane furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify vintage Lane furniture, examine your piece in search of its date code. Most Lane furniture displays a series of numbers that tells you when it was made when read in reverse. For example, a piece that reads “2971120” would be “02 11 79,” indicating that Lane crafted it on February 11, 1979. To be considered vintage, a Lane furnishing must be at least 20 years old. For further assistance with making an identification, use the services of a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. On 1stDibs, shop a wide variety of Lane furniture.

Question 9

How do I identify vintage patio furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify vintage patio furniture, start with the maker's markings. You will usually find stamps, tags or labels with the maker's name in hidden places, such as under seats and tabletops. By comparing the marking with images shared by trusted online resources, you can learn who produced your patio furniture. Then, you can continue your research to find out more about the style name, year of production and other characteristics. Typically, patio furniture must be at least 20 years old and no more than 99 years old to be categorized as vintage. For help with the identification process, turn to a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. Find a large collection of vintage patio furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 10

How can I tell if bamboo furniture is vintage?

Accepted Answer

The first step in determining if an item is vintage bamboo is to first make sure it’s bamboo. Bamboo is inflexible, so if there are curved shapes in the design it is actually rattan, not bamboo. Your next step is to understand the style of the piece of furniture, the brand, and look for telltale signs that it is an authentic piece from that brand. Shop a range of antique and modern bamboo furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 11

How do I identify vintage Woodard patio furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify vintage Woodard patio furniture, look for the maker's markings. On three-piece sets, you'll typically find paper labels that bear the brand name underneath the cushions. Sofa and chair frames may also feature welded-on metal labels bearing the brand name. For wrought iron pieces, check the frame for an embossed "Woodard" mark. Once you find the markings, you can use trusted online resources to determine a rough idea of the age of your piece. Anything produced more than 20 years ago, but less than a century ago, is vintage. Pieces more than 100 years old are antique, while those made within the last two decades are contemporary. If you're unable to locate any markings, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer can assist you with identification and dating. On 1stDibs, explore an assortment of Woodard furniture.

Question 12

How do you find out how much vintage furniture is worth?

Accepted Answer

To find out how much vintage furniture is worth, look at the history of sale prices for comparable pieces on trusted online platforms. You can begin your research by determining the maker of your furniture. Since the condition of your furniture will also impact its value, you may also wish to have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer evaluate it. On 1stDibs, explore a large collection of vintage furniture.

Question 13

What’s the difference between vintage and antique furniture?

Accepted Answer

The difference between vintage and antique furniture is that vintage furniture is at least 20 years old, while antiques must be at least 100 years old to be considered antique.

Question 14

How can you tell if wrought iron furniture is vintage?

Accepted Answer

One way to tell if wrought iron furniture is vintage is to look for markings that indicate who produced it. Markings may appear on the underside, back and legs of wrought iron tables and chairs. You can then use trusted online resources to determine when the maker was active and producing pieces similar to yours. Consult a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer if you can't find markings or have difficulty dating a piece.

Walter Lamb’s adventurous works and those of other mid-century designers noted for their seminal outdoor furniture — a list that includes Hendrik Van Keppel and Taylor Green, Russell Woodard, Maurizio Tempestini for John B. Salterini and Richard Schultz for Knoll — is often found among the offerings of 1stDibs dealers.

In colder regions, wrought iron, which can be left outdoors all year round, was the material of choice in outdoor furniture designs for the Atomic Age.

Shop a variety of vintage wrought iron furniture on 1stDibs.

Vintage Bureau Furniture

1940s American Industrial Vintage Bureau Furniture

Mid-Century Brushed Steel Cabinet Console by Library Bureau Solemakers

1940s American Industrial Vintage Bureau Furniture

Library Bureau Sole Makers Industrial Brushed Steel Office Storage Cabinet

1940s American American Classical Vintage Bureau Furniture

Antique Tiger Oak Three-Stack Barrister Bookcase by Library Bureau

1960s American Louis XVI Vintage Bureau Furniture

Baker Furniture French Regency Louis XVI Walnut Leather Top Bureau Plat Desk

20th Century French Vintage Bureau Furniture

Black Lacquer Bureau Plat

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bureau Furniture

1960’s France Secretary/Bureau Desk

1960s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bureau Furniture

1960s Teak Vintage Bureau by John Morton for LM Furniture

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bureau Furniture

Paul Frankl Lacquered Bureau

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bureau Furniture

Mid-Century Bureau Bookcase in Teak from Turnidge, 1960s

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bureau Furniture

Bureau

20th Century American Louis XV Vintage Bureau Furniture

Louis XV Style Bureau Plat / Collector s Edition by Baker

1970s Louis XV Vintage Bureau Furniture

Auffray Co French Louis XV Provincial Tooled Leather Bureau Plat Writing Desk

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bureau Furniture

Pace Collection Walnut Low Bureau

20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bureau Furniture

Mid Century Retro Teak Nathan Credenza Highboard Vintage Bureau Drinks Cabinet

20th Century Indian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bureau Furniture

Bureau "Pigeonnier"

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bureau Furniture

Teak Bureau

1940s French Vintage Bureau Furniture

Mirrored Bureau

1950s French Vintage Bureau Furniture

Mirrored Vanity/Bureau

1940s French Vintage Bureau Furniture

Mirrored Bureau

1940s French Vintage Bureau Furniture

Mirrored Bureau

1970s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bureau Furniture

Mid Century Modern Vintage Secretaire Writing Bureau Desk by G plan Danish Style

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bureau Furniture

Mid Century Tola and Black Librenza Drinks Cabinet Bureau G Plan, 1950s

1950s French Vintage Bureau Furniture

French Bureau Plat

Mid-20th Century Danish Vintage Bureau Furniture

Danish Rosewood Bureau

1940s French Vintage Bureau Furniture

Lovely Mirrored Bureau

Mid-20th Century French Arts and Crafts Vintage Bureau Furniture

Petite French Bureau

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bureau Furniture

Teak Bureau/Vanity

20th Century French Louis XVI Vintage Bureau Furniture

Exquisite Mirrored Bureau/Desk

Mid-20th Century Italian Vintage Bureau Furniture

Gianfranco Frattini Bureau, Bernini

Mid-20th Century Dutch Vintage Bureau Furniture

20th Century Dutch Bureau

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bureau Furniture

Borge Mogensen Teak Bureau

Mid-20th Century American Industrial Vintage Bureau Furniture

Industrial Brushed Steel Modular Index Cabinet

1960s American Louis XV Vintage Bureau Furniture

Sligh Furniture French Provincial Louis XV Carved Cherry Wood Writing Desk

1950s French Vintage Bureau Furniture

Wood and Rattan Bureau

20th Century French Vintage Bureau Furniture

French Ebonised Bureau Plat

Mid-20th Century Dutch Vintage Bureau Furniture

20th Century Burl Walnut Bureau

20th Century English Campaign Vintage Bureau Furniture

Lovely Small Harrods London Reh Kennedy Military Campaign Writing Bureau Desk

1950s French Vintage Bureau Furniture

Wood and Rattan Bureau

Mid-20th Century English Queen Anne Vintage Bureau Furniture

Antique Burr Walnut Writing Bureau

20th Century French Vintage Bureau Furniture